Responding the the publication of the Government's Housing White Paper, Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils' executive member for housing, said:

“The UK has not been building enough homes to properly house its population for many years. This negatively impacts the quality of life for everyone, on the aspirations of young people in particular and on businesses.

“In London alone we now have 50,000 households in temporary accommodation and have seen consistent increases- laying bare the full impact of welfare reform coupled with a housing supply crisis.

LONDON boroughs are stepping up efforts to tackle homelessness on the streets of the capital during the Christmas period.

Government statistics show homelessness is rising between 5-9% on average across the country and during April, May and June local authorities in England accepted 15,170 households as statutorily homeless.

Of these, 4,890 were in London – meaning the capital accounts for 32% of the England total and has also faced an 11% rise compared to the same period last year.